Let's talk about blackheads.
Summer has a way with the pores… and by this time of year we see a flood of clients whose top concern is deep cleansing and clarifying their skin after months of sun, travel, and sweat. Whether you’re coping with the side effects of satisfying summer workouts or sticky subway platforms, if you find yourself at the bathroom mirror squeezing – pause please and keep reading.
You can tackle blackheads successfully, and we regularly help clients clear up blackheads that “nothing works” for other than professional extractions — but in as much time as it takes for a Bioré strip to set, let’s talk about a better plan.
Firstly, what’s in our pores, and how does it get there?
The gunk that naturally builds up in everyone’s pores is a blend of dead skin and debris (i.e., city grime) that settles into the skin and sticks to your skin’s natural oils each day. The bit of that buildup that sits closest to the surface of your skin gets exposed to oxygen, so it turns dark brown or black — thus the beloved title of blackhead.
The gunk that ultimately forms a blackhead builds up day by day. So by the time you see it and have that strangely powerful impulse to mess with it, the little guy has already been in the works for weeks, months, or even years, depending on how you’ve been caring for your skin each day at home.
Kind of gross, yes, but also natural, and part of the reason your skin should be cleansed each night — especially if you live in an urban environment. Deep pore cleansing is also a key component of monthly professional facials, but the best pore-refining results only happen when you also have a balanced and effective daily skincare routine at home.
What are the benefits of having a professional do my extractions?
Monthly professional facials offer consistent deep cleansing in a number of ways, including (but not limited to) professional extractions.
For extractions, we take the skin through a multi-step deep cleansing to hydrate and soften the skin and loosen the pore’s grip on debris. Then we gently manipulate the skin to remove blackheads and buildup. Professional treatments can work wonders on the most stubborn blackheads, but what you do at home each day between visits actually has the greatest impact on how much of that debris your Skin Therapist will be able to extract safely.
At Heyday, we perform gentle extractions and do not force pores that aren’t ready. Combining peels or microdermabrasion with extractions generally offers the most immediate results for clearing up blackheads and overall pore congestion. If extractions are a primary concern, a 75-minute facial session allows the most time for this focused work.
If your skin condition can be improved through home care for better extractions, we’ll explain what’s happening with the skin, treat it appropriately that day, and send you home with a short-term plan to help prep for your next session while still seeing ongoing improvements.
What can I do at home to cut down the buildup?
1. Cleanse thoroughly, every night.
The stuff in our pores builds up day-to-day, so clearing it — and keeping it from building up again — requires daily consistency with an effective cleansing routine. Common clues your cleansing routine isn’t working: long-standing stubborn blackheads, skin that feels rough or stiff, or skin that’s oily and clogged at the same time.
#1 Blackhead Game-Changer: The Nightly Double-Cleanse. Use an oil-based cleanser to dissolve surface grime, dirt, and makeup before using your gentle daily cleanser each night. With a pre-cleansed surface, your cleanser can finally reach into the pores. Many people feel and see a difference within a few weeks.
For many city dwellers, the right cleansing routine is the key to finally seeing reduced pore size and fewer blackheads. Layering in professional treatments afterward becomes the final puzzle piece.
2. Moisturizing! Way more than you think.
Moisturize day and night — including oily and blackhead-prone areas. Not moisturizing actually makes blackheads worse, as dehydrated skin resists proper deep cleansing during extractions. If you want your first deep-cleaning facial to be as effective as possible, moisturize like a maniac for the week prior.
3. Exfoliate — Consistent Exfoliation.
A buildup of dead skin can trap debris inside pores. Gentle, consistent exfoliation keeps renewal happening and helps keep gunk moving along.
One to three times weekly is all you need. We favor a gentle polish or mild enzyme exfoliant. More exfoliation isn’t better — it just removes more skin, not more debris. Over-exfoliating can leave your skin sensitive, irritated, and more breakout-prone. You want *just enough* for the best results.
